The Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) recently announced a record total of $692,268 in grants for artistic projects in 2012, awarding 76 organizations and schools and 77 individual artists in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties. We're especially pleased that $4,000 will be awarded to JOIN's Bridges to Arts project, which creates arts opportunities for people transitioning out of homelessness. Arts access not only enhances quality of life for formerly homeless people, it increases their success in housing.

Since 1995, RACC has provided financial support to artists and arts organizations in the tri-county region, creating an environment where the arts and culture of our region can flourish and prosper.

RACC received 312 applications in this grant cycle, up 6% from last year. Proposals are submitted to one of three different categories: “artistic focus,” “community participation,” and “arts in schools.” During October and November, 63 volunteers serving on 17 different panels evaluated the proposals based on artistic merit, community involvement and fiscal soundness, recommending about half for funding.